married

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "married" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is married, e.g. "John is married to Sarah". You can also use it to describe a former marital status, e.g. "John was married to Sarah for six years before they divorced".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They married the following year.

The Guardian - Business

They were married in 1970.

The New York Times - Arts

There was a time when 50 out of every 1,000 women in the UK got married annually.

The Guardian

After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.

The Guardian

"The great thing about last night's vote is that two gay people who love each other will now be able to get married.

The Guardian

STEPHEN KINNOCK, 45 LABOUR, ABERAVON The son of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock is married to the prime minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

The Guardian

"I married our neighbour's son when I was only 14 because my dad insisted," Ebrahimi was quoted as telling officials working on her case, according to Mehr.

The Guardian

"We took some wedding pictures here and we got married here at TPC.

The Guardian - Sport

'When I began in the village, they thought, "Who is this woman who is disabled, educated and working?" says Ranoo. 'They couldn't believe I was married and had healthy children.

The Guardian

For Michael Essien it was a different story: he's supposed to be getting married today.

The Guardian - Sport

Von Furstenberg's life story is a biopic waiting to happen: the self-made millionaire who married into (and then divorced from) German royalty, partied with Andy Warhol at Studio 54, lost her fortune and won it again, got namechecked in a Dolly Parton song (Working Girl) and is still, at 66, having a high old time as a grand dame of New York.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's marital status, use "married" to clearly and concisely convey that they are in a legally recognized union. Ensure that the context supports this interpretation and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "married" when you mean 'in a committed relationship' but the couple is not legally married. Using precise language ensures clarity and avoids misrepresenting their status.

Linguistic Context

The word "married" primarily functions as an adjective describing the state of being in a legally recognized marital union. It can also function as a past participle of the verb 'marry'. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "married" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective or past participle to indicate the state of being in a legal marital union. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to use the term accurately, avoiding it when referring to non-legal committed relationships. For variety, consider related phrases like "in a marital relationship" or "legally wedded". Remember, the best practice is to ensure clarity and precision when describing someone's marital status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Legally wedded

Highlights the legal aspect of the marriage.

In a marital relationship

Focuses on the state of being within a marriage.

Wedded

A more literary or poetic way to say married.

Joined in matrimony

A more formal and ceremonial way to describe being married.

Man and wife

A traditional phrase for a married couple.

Husband and wife

Emphasizes the roles within the married couple.

Hitch

To get married in informal way.

Spouse

Refers to either partner in a marriage.

Partnered

Emphasizes a relationship that is serious and committed, similar to marriage.

In a civil partnership

Indicates a legally recognized union similar to marriage, but with different terminology.

FAQs

How to use "married" in a sentence?

You can use "married" to describe someone's current marital status, such as "She is "married" to John", or to describe a past status, like "They were "married" for ten years".

What's the difference between "married" and "engaged"?

"Married" indicates that a couple has legally wed, while "engaged" means they have agreed to marry but have not yet done so. They are at different stages of commitment.

Which is correct: "married with" or "married to"?

"Married to" is the correct and more commonly used preposition. For example: "She is "married to" him", not "married with him".

What can I say instead of "getting married"?

Alternatives include "tying the knot", "exchanging vows", or "walking down the aisle", depending on the context.